Regulator mechanism



J. B. PARSONS 2,566,745 i REGULATOR MECHANISM sept. 4, .1951

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 2l, 1944 Sept. 4, 1951 J. B. PARSONS 2,566,745

REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed June 2l, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll NVENTUR.

MMQQWLA Sept. 4, 1951 J. B. PARSONS REGULATOR MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 21, 1944 IN VEN TOR. JMW/. Hamam B Y I /ZM im Hmg/VN Patented Sept. 4, 1951 REGULATOR MECHANISM John B. Parsons, Toledo, Ohio Application June 21, 1944, Serial No. 541,327

1 Claim.

This invention relates to regulator mechanism particularly for use on vehicles, such, for example, as automobiles to effect movement of a member between two stations or points of adjustment.

An object is to produce new and improved regulator mechanism of the above character which includes a fluid motor for effecting movement of the member in one direction and separate means for effecting movement in the opposite direction, control means being provided therefor which can be remotely arranged and by which electrical devices are rendered effective or ineffective to achieve the desired movement.

Another object is to produce regulator mechanism for actuating pivotally or hingedly mounted closures by power means adapted to be controlled from a remote location.

A further object is to produce regulator mechanism for actuating a swingably mounted window panel or the like by power operated means in such manner that power means imparts movement to the window panel in one direction and spring means actuates the same in the opposite direction, control for such mechanism being adapted to be disposed at a remote location such, for example, as adjacent the drivers seat.

A still further object is to provide a hingedly mounted window for the rear end of the vehicle body disposed transversely to the direction of vehicle movement and to provide therefor power means for operating the lsame controllable at a remote location.

A still further object is to produce a simple and efficient self-aligning mounting for a vehicle window panel which is inexpensive to produce and install and has the new and improved features of construction, arrangement and operation hereinafter described.

Other `objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the interior of an automobile body having a hingedly mounted rear window and remotely controlled power operated mechanism for actuating the window panel; Figure la is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the mid section of the pump unit, taken substantially on the line IA--IA of Figure l;

Figures 1h, lc and 1d are diagrammatic sectional views showing the different positions which the valve associated with the motor driven pump may assume;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view taken from the outside showing the rear window panel and the mounting for the same;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the power operated regulator mechanism for actuating the window panel, part of the cylinder being broken away to show the solenoid and spring tensioned valve;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of one of the hinge members for the window panel and the slotted mounting for the same;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the mounting between one of the spring larms and the strips connected to the window panel;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view showing one of the hinge mountings between the window panel of the vehicle body structure;

Figure '7 is a sectional View substantially on the line 'I--l of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the rear end portion of the vehicle body showing the mounting of the window panel, the

power operated regulator mechanism and the connection between the regulator mechanism and kthe window panel.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises an automobile body It having the usual side windows I I, seat I2, instrument panel I 3 and windshield I4. As shown, the rear end portion of the body slopes downwardly and rearwardly and formed therein is a window opening I5, which is arranged transversely of the direc- -tion of movement of the vehicle and is adapted to be closed by a window glass or panel IB.

As will hereinafter appear, the window glass I is hingedly connected at its upper edge to the ve,-

lhicle body so that the lower portion can swing outwardly away from the body to afford ventilation for the inside of the body, thereby providing an. exceedingly simple and effective manner for exhausting foul air, smoke and gases from the inside of the automobile when in motion. The

suction created in the region of the window panel I6 when in open position due to the forward lmovement of the vehicle, is ample most effectivethe portion of each of the straps I1 adjacent the upper edge of the window glass is bent inwardly, as indicated at I9 and is bent into a curve from which the end portion 2| inclines outwardly and upwardly in a direction away from the adjacentV window edge. The end portion 2l projects through a rectangular slot 22 provided in a plate 23 which is secured by bolt and .nut assemblies 24 to 'a body 'member 25, substantially as shown inFigure 6. The slot 22 is shaped snugly to fit the upper and lower sides of the end portion 2l. For securing the strap portion in place, a

` plate 26 has a notched end 21, which engages in a notch 2la formed in the adjacent side of the strap portion 2l, as shown in Figure 4, theplate 26 being held in place by the adjacent bolt and nut assembly 24. An anti-rattling spring 21a is interposed between the bottoms of the notches 2|a and 21 to hold the 'parts against vibration. -It will be understood that the .frame .portion is likewise formed with a rectangular slot 263 through which the end portion 2i of the strap extends.

In the normal closed position of the windov.r

panel |5, the edge portion thereof seats against a .resilient rubber strip or Vgasket 2S, thereby effectively sealing the window in its closed position, it being understood that the rubber strip 25J extends entirely around the edge portion of the opening i5. The above described hinge enables thewlindow panel i5 to be swung from its full line position in Figure 8, to its broken line position, suflicient rocking movement being allowed between end portions of the straps I1 to afford 'this movement. Due to the slidable mounting and the resilient characteristics of the strap metall .hinge extensions, itis manifest that the window .glass I5 is self-aligning. Y

Adjacent the opposite end of each of the straps I1 is mounted a bracket pivotally to receive the T-shaped end portion of a spring arm 3| which Acurves downwardly or in a direction away from the hinged side of the window glass i6. The opposite ends of the spring arms 3l are pivoted vto arms 32 respectively which are ixed to and l'movable with a transverse shaft 33. Adjacent each end portion of the shaft 35 is a bearing member 34, which is suitably secured to the adjacent portion of the vehicle body H3, thereby to afford'a bearing support for the shaft 33.

A pair of laterally spaced frame arms 35 and 56 loosely engage the shaft 53 at one end and are fixed to a cross bar 31 at the opposite end. The cross bar 51 is suitably attached to an adjacent vehicle body portion securely to hold same in position. Secured by a clip S8 to the cross bar 31 to have rocking movement relative thereto, is a cylindrical extension 35 to which is secured a cylinder 4D of a fluid motor. Reciprocable within the cylinder 45 is a piston 4l to which is secured a piston rod 42. The piston rod 42 is connected by a clip 43 to an arm 44 to have rocking movement relative thereto. The arm 44 is Xed for rotationto the shaft 33 and projects at substantially right angles therefrom.

Disposed within the cylinder 46 is a solenoid 45 which when energized, opens a normally closed spring tensioned ported valve 45a to admit fluid, such as liquid, under pressure through a tube 46 to actuate the piston 4| and piston rod 42 in one direction. As shown, the valve 45a is formed with a rubber sealing nose 45h which normally closes the passage communicating with the tube 46, but under the influence of the solenoid 45, 'the valve is unseated placing the spring 45e 4 under tension, thereby enabling fluid to flow through the valve either to or from the cylinder. A lead 41 extends to the solenoid 45 for energizing the same.

An helical coil spring 48 has one end hooked over the cross bar 31 and the opposite end of the spring engages an arm 49 fixed for rotation to the shaft 33 and projects in the same direction as the arm 44. 1 When it is desired to open the window glass I6, the solenoid 45 is energized to unseat the associated valve 45a so that fluid trapped in the cylinder 40 may be readily forced therefrom. The coil spring 43, which has previou'sly been placed under tension, can thereupon rock the shaft 33 in a clockwise direction (Figure 1) and cause the arms 32 through the spring arms 3| to swing the window glass I6 outwardly, substantially to the broken line position shown in Figure 8 or to any desired intermediate position. The adjusted position of the window glass I6 is controlled by the amount of liquid which is allowed to be forced from the cylinder 4Q through the tube 46. Thus Aby deenergizing the solenoid 45 and thereby allowing its valve 45a to seat, liquid is-tiapped Within the cylinder 4i? and further retrograde .piston movement is blocked.

VAIn order to close the window panel I6, the solenoid 45 is energized thereby to open the associated valve 45a, and, as will hereinafter 'be explained, liquid is forced through the tube 45 to force the piston 4| outwardly of the cylinder, thereby to cause the shaft 33 to rock in a counte'rclockwise direction (Figure 1) and move the window panel I6 toward or to its closed position. The spring arms 3l have suficient resiliency to enable the liquid within the cylinder 4i] to expand under changes in temperature conditions withoutV breaking or injuring the associated parts.

vThe tube 46 leads from the cylinder 40 of the huid motor to a pump unit 5U, land it will be understood that this tube not only serves to conduct liquid .from the unit 50 to the huid motor, but also to conduct uid from the fluid motor back to the unit 50. The pump unit 56 includes an electric motor 5I which .is Vconnected to a block 54. Suitably mounted on the lower end of the shaft 53 is a rotary gear pump 55. In this instance, the pump 55 consists of two rotors `ar ranged one within the other, the same being available on Vthe market under the name Geroto'r. However, the particular type of pump forms no part of the present invention, and detail description and illustration thereof is not lconsidered necessary. .Sufiice it to say that the pump 55 draws liquid from a liquid reservoir 55 through a tube 51, which preferably terminates short of the bottom of the reservoir and thence through suitable passages 51a to the inlet side of .the pump 55. The liquid is forced by the `pump 55 into a lateral passage 58 in whichVV a springtensioned valve 60 is slidable.

When the pump is in operation, the pressure is sufficient to move the valve 60 inwardly against the tension of the spring to uncover a port 59 with which the tube 46 is in communicatih, substantially as shown on Figure lc. In this manner, liquid underpressure is delivered to the iiuid motor. When the electric motor 5l is deenergized so that the pump 55 is idle, liquid from the iiuid motor passes through the tube 45, port 59, which in the normal position is at least partially uncovered by the rear face of the valve 56, substantially as shown on Figure '1b. In this manner, liquid is 'enabled' to Vflow into a vertical passage 6I in the block 54 and thus into a tube E2 which extends to a point close to the bottom of the reservoir` 56. Thus it will be manifest that when the pump 55 is not operating, liquid may be forced from the cylinder 40 of the iiuid motor through the tube 46, past the rear face of the spring tensioned valve 60 and into the reservoir through the tube 62. As shown on Figure 1d, the valve 60 may be moved farther to the left of the figure in the event of some obstruction encountered by the iluid motor, and in such event the pump 55 merely forces liquid back to the reservoir as indicated by the arrows.

The lead from the valve operating solenoid 45 extends to a normally open switch 52, which in this instance, is mounted on the instrument panel I3. From the switch 52, a lead 63 extends to a relay switch 64 associated with and electrically connected to the electric motor 5I. A lead 63a extends to a battery B which is grounded at G. The motor 5I is also grounded at G. The relay 64 is also connected to a binding post on the switch 52 by a lead 65. The arrangement is such that upon movement of the switch 5?. in one direction, the valve operating solenoid 45 is energized, thereby to enable the coil spring 46 to move the window glass toward an open position and at the same time force liquid from the cylinder 4U. Upon movement of the switch 52 in the opposite direction, the valve operating solenoid 45 will be energized but in addition, the pump operating motor 5| through the relay 64, will be energized, thereby to operate the fluid motor, move the window glass I6 inthe opposite direction toward its closed position, and at the same time place the spring 48 under tension. A suitable switch for the above purpose is shown in my Patent 2,344,452, granted March 14, 1944.

From the above description, it will be manifest that I have provided an exceedingly simple and efficient mechanism for swinging the window glass I6 to and from closed position and to any intermediate desired position of adjustment. The regulator mechanism can be readily installed in a vehicle body without substantial alteration of the same. One important advantage olf this mechanism is that it can be conveniently controlled at a remote point, such as adjacent the drivers seat, or in whatever position it is desired.

It is to be understood that numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A regulator mechanism for effecting movement of a vehicle member between two positions of adjustment, comprising a swinging arm operatively connected to the vehicle member, a fluid motor connected to actuate the arm in one direction, said motor including a cylinder and a piston which is operatively connected to said arm, a fluid conduit connected to said cylinder, an electromagnetically controlled normally closed valve in said conduit controlling the passage of fluid 6 to and from said cylinder, an electric motor driven pump for supplying iiuid under pressure to said conduit, a fluid reservoir communicative with said pump, another valve between said pump and said conduit, said other valve being responsive to the pressure fluid for establishing communication between said conduit and said reservoir when the pump is inoperative and normally preventing communication between said conduit and said reservoir and establishing communication between said pump and said conduit when the pump is operative and inthe event that excessive pressures are developed in the conduit when the pump is operative, direct communication is established between the conduit, said pump and said reservoir, a contractile spring operatively connected to said arm and arranged constantly to urge same in. the opposite direction, a switch having one contact connected to the electromagnetic valve and the motor driven pump for effecting operating of said pump and unseating of said other valve whereby pressure fluid is admitted to the cylinder and the arm is moved in one direction, said switch having another contact connected only to said electromagnetic valve to effect unseating of same enabling the contractile spring to force fluid from the cylinder to said reservoir and the arm is moved in the opposite direction.

JOHN B. PARSONS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 612,324 Frazier et al Oct. 11, 1898 617,014 Spink Apr. 3, 1906 899,796 Osmer Sept. 29, 1908 1,054,417 Hutchinson Feb. 25, 1913 1,494,682 Gibbs May 20, 1924 1,607,639 Morgana Nov. 23, 1926 1,652,360 Jackson Dec. 13, 1927 1,688,337 King Oct. 23, 1928 1,857,602 Obst May 10, 1932 1,951,906 Hansen L Mar. 20, 1934 1,985,443 Clute Dec. 25, 1934 2,022,036 Haberstrump' Nov. 26, 1935 2,061,530 Wile Nov. 17, 1936 2,072,481 McNairy Mar. 2, 1937 2,093,201 Love Sept. 14, 1937 2,140,865 Tuttle Dec. 20, 1938 2,160,743 Lentz et al May 30, 1939 2,163,566 Blessin June 20, 1939 2,298,542 Potter et al Oct. 13, 1942 2,301,576 Parsons Nov. 10, 1942 2,311,864 Parsons Feb. 23, 1943 2,323,731 Shetzline July 6, 1943 2,331,603 Falcon Oct. 12, 1943 2,436,728 Parsons Feb. 24, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 440,522 Germany Feb. 9, 1927 

